PALMYRA, MO. -- Saturday's weather proved to be perfect for chili.

To kick off the holiday season, the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce put on Christmas in Palmyra.

New this year was a chili cook-off.

Some restaurants in town, and individual cooks, tried their hand at making the best chili.

For $5, you could come and sample as many kinds as you liked.

A silent auction also helped raise money.

All proceeds from the event will go to the ALS Association for research for a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Michele Hopson with the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce says, "There's some people who know about it but for most, they don't know because there are so many other diseases out there that are bad too. Lou Gehrig's disease really gets ahold of you. You start out where you're doing everything and then all of the sudden, you start losing your ability to do anything. It's like you go in reverse back to a child. You can't eat or drink or do anything."

Also as a part of Christmas in Palmyra -- Children were given the chance to ride on a fire truck with Santa.

The Palmyra Fire Department loaned one of it's trucks for the rides.

The kids got the opportunity to drive down Main Street and around the courthouse.

They also got a bag full of candy.

Santa says the reason they do it is simple.

"Just for the community. They've been doing it since 1981 and we enjoy doing it for the kids and the community," says Santa.

Miss Marion County runner up Sierra Burch was also along for the rides.